Estudio geotécnico in El Barco de Valdeorras, O

In Barco de Valdeorras, the subsoil is characterised mainly by the presence of compact gravels and sands, materials that provide an excellent bearing capacity for buildings and allow direct foundations to be executed safely. Although these soils predominate, with low permeability, they may locally facilitate the presence of shallow aquifers; therefore, it is essential to evaluate the groundwater level as part of the geotechnical study, in order to prevent water-related damage to the foundation.

Given the municipality’s high seismicity, with a record of around 200 events over 30 years and a maximum magnitude of 5, it is essential that building projects take the seismic effect into account during the structural design phase. The absence of karst and the non-clayey nature of the sub-stratum eliminate risks of expansiveness and subsidence due to dissolution, so the main technical constraint in Barco de Valdeorras is seismic action.